Four-time Oscar nominee will direct next Bond film

FILMMAKER Denis Villeneuve has been appointed to direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM studios has announced.

- By Jessica Coates

The four-time Academy Award nominee has earned both critical acclaim and box office success with the Dune franchise, as well as with Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.

In a statement, he described himself as a “die-hard” fan of the spy films.

The director, below, said: “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father.

“To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.”

He will also serve as executive producer with wife Tanya Lapointe. It comes after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handed creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.